Undertones in White Paint
Most paint colors are created by using two or more colors. An undertone is created when there is a higher percentage of one color over the other. White paint colors are especially prone to taking on different tonalities from morning to evening, under both natural and artificial lighting conditions.
Warm white hues have undertones of red, orange, and yellow, resulting in a soft glow and welcoming vibe.
Cool whites have hints of green, blue, and violet, resulting in crisp, clean and fresh spaces.
When looking for the “just-right” white paint:
- Pick several color strips.
- Layer them on top of one another at home.
- Observe the difference between brightness levels and undertones.
- View the strip’s paint colors against your home furnishings to find which white is most complementary.
Test Your White Paint Colors - Use brush-on paint samples, and live with your options for a few days before you buy. **Colors on screens are very different than in person!
Frequently Asked Questions about White
Q. What is the most popular white paint color?
A. The most popular Benjamin Moore white paint color is White Dove OC-17, a clean and classic white hue. White Dove is also our most sampled paint color.
Favorites Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Swiss Coffee OC-45 are close behind as most popular Benjamin Moore white paint colors. You’ll find these three favorite white hues and many more in the Benjamin Moore Off White Collection.
Q. What shade of white is best for walls?
A. The best white paint for interior walls depends on many factors, from décor to lighting in a space. Three favorites include Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Decorator’s White OC-149—both cooler whites, and Simply White OC-117, a former Benjamin Moore Color of the Year, which leans warmer in tone.
Q. What are different shades of white?
A. Shades of white are typically divided into either “warm” or “cool” categories. Warm white hues include red, orange and yellow undertones. Cool white hues include green, blue and violet undertones.
When designing your space, consider that red, yellow and neutral home accessories will harmonize with warmer white paint colors. Green, blue and cool gray furnishings and fabrics synch with cooler white paint colors.
Q. What are warm white paint colors?
A. Warm white paint colors have red, orange and yellow undertones, evoking a soft glow and welcoming energy. Popular warm white hues include White Opulence OC-69 and Pink Damask OC-72 (red undertones), Pompeii OC-82 and Onyx White OC-74 (orange undertones), and Mayonnaise OC-85, and Acadia White OC-38 (yellow undertones).
Q. What are cool white paint colors?
A. Cool white paint colors have undertones of green, blue, and violet. Cool whites evoke a crisp, clean, fresh look. Favorite cool white paint colors include Minced Onion OC-128 and Meadow Mist OC-134 (green undertones), Distant Gray OC-68 and White Ice OC-58 (blue undertones) and Mirage White 2116-70, and Calm OC-22 (violet undertones).
Q. What is the most neutral white paint color?
A. If you are looking for our most neutral white paint color, consider Chantilly Lace OC-65. This neutral white is a classic go-to white hue that elicits images of fresh cotton and pure silk.